Pacers Fall to 0-5 as NBA Cup Kicks Off
In a gripping night of NBA Cup action, the Indiana Pacers fell to 0-5 this season as they lost to the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks secured a 107-95 victory, with Jalen Johnson leading the charge, scoring 22 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Nickeil Alexander-Walker contributed 21 points, while Pascal Siakam added 18 points and five assists.
The Pacers are grappling with multiple injuries. Notably, forward Obi Toppin will be sidelined for at least three months due to a stress fracture in his right foot, requiring surgery. Additionally, star player Tyrese Halliburton is likely out for the season after tearing his Achilles tendon during last season’s playoffs. The team is also missing key players Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard due to foot and shoulder injuries, respectively.
Pacers’ Continuing Struggles
Despite efforts from rookie Jarace Walker, who scored 17 points, the Pacers could not overcome their shortcomings. The loss marks a challenging start to the season, as injuries have taken a toll on the roster’s depth and performance.
NBA Cup Highlights
- Chicago Bulls 135, New York Knicks 125: Josh Giddey scored a career-high 32 points, helping the Bulls improve to 5-0.
- Boston Celtics 110, Philadelphia 76ers 108: Jaylen Brown led with 32 points, allowing Boston to even their record at 3-3.
- Toronto Raptors 112, Cleveland Cavaliers 101: Jamison Battle scored 20 points and the Raptors ended a four-game losing streak.
- Los Angeles Lakers 117, Memphis Grizzlies 112: Luka Doncic returned to score 44 points, lifting the Lakers to victory.
- Phoenix Suns 120, Utah Jazz 104: Devin Booker contributed 36 points, aiding the Suns in halting a four-game losing streak.
- Portland Trail Blazers 109, Denver Nuggets 107: Jerami Grant secured victory with two free throws in the closing seconds.
- Los Angeles Clippers 126, New Orleans Pelicans 124: Kawhi Leonard’s buzzer-beater secured a thrilling win for the Clippers.
Impact of Injuries Across Teams
Multiple teams faced significant challenges due to player injuries. For the Pacers, these setbacks have led to a winless start. The Pelicans are also struggling, remaining winless through five games—their worst start since the 2016-17 season. In contrast, teams like the Bulls are thriving, currently experiencing their best start in nearly three decades.
The ongoing NBA Cup games continue to showcase intense matchups and player performances, but for the Pacers, the road ahead looks challenging without key contributors in the lineup.
